Greg Ball: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: LindenhurstWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Millburn District 24 School Board (4-year Terms)Age: 48Family: Married, four childrenOccupation: BiostatisticianEducation: PhD in Biostatistics, University of Texas, 2008 MS in Statistics, Purdue University, 2000 MA in Math Education, Boston University, 1991 BA in Economics, Northwestern University, 1986Civic involvement: Millburn district facilities and finance committee member Cub scout den leader City league soccer coachElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I have the education, experience and desire to help our district maintain its extraordinary educational culture as we transition through these tough economic times.Key Issue 2 Candidate did not respond.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What do you think about the shift to the common core standards? How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?The superintendent and his administration should set the curriculum. The school board has oversight.How satisfied are you that your district is preparing students for the next stage in their lives, whether it be from elementary into high school or high school into college or full-time employment? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?Our schools are doing a great job preparing our students for high school. The continued success of our district depends on how quickly we can regain financial control.What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax increases?We have done everything we can to cut costs; laid off about 50 teachers, increased class sizes, combined band and sports and changed to grade level centers. We need to pass the referendum in April or risk losing our extraordinary educational culture.As contract talks come up with various school employee groups, do you believe the district should ask for concessions from its employees, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?Our teachers get paid less than teachers in every other school district except one in our county. They deserve better.If your district had a superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement, would you support a substantial increase in his or her pay to help boost pension benefits? Why or why not?No, that wouldn't be fair or fiscally responsible.